Earring joint



May 10, 1955 E. 1.. ARZT 2,708,128

EARRING JOINT Filed Aug. 4. 1950 2 She etsSheet 1 INVENTOR. EMANUEL L. Aezr I ArroQ/vsva May 10, 1955 E. L. ARZT 2,708,128

EARRING JOINT Filed Aug. 4, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 JNVENTORQ EMANUEL L./ 1RZT ATTORNEYS United States Patent EARRING JOINT Emanuel L. Arzt, New York, N. Y.

Application August 4, 1950, Serial No. 177,610

1 Claim. (Cl. 287-14) This invention relates to improvements in earrings.

It is an object of the instant invention to provide earrings more readily attached and removed than heretofore possible.

A further object is to provide earrings that will sub stantially relieve pinching.

Another object is to provide earrings more readily adapted to changes in styles than known devices.

Other objects of the instant invention will become apparent in the course of the following specification.

In the attainment of these objectives, the improved earrings are made in four embodiments. In all embodiments the earrings are constituted of an inner stem to the bottom of which an outer stem is pivotally attached and extended under the lobe of the ear and upwardly along the outer surface thereof to carry the gem or other ornament and to coact with the top of the inner stem in maintaining the ear lobe gripped therebetween. The usual or a new adjustment screw in the top of the inner stern varies the spacing of the inner stern clamp relative to the ear lobe but with the adjustment once made no further manipulation of the screw is required because of the especially designed pivotal connection between the stems which varies the angle formed thereby when at taching and removing the earrings. The distinction between embodiments lies in the different mechanisms used for releasably maintaining the stems in the locked position, that is the attached position of the earrings.

The invention will appear more clearly when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings showing by way of illustration the preferred embodiments of the inventive idea.

In the drawings:

Figures 1 through 6 show the first embodiment of the improved earring on an enlarged scale and constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of one of the improved earrings in closed position;

Figure 2 is an elevational view of the left end of the earring shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view along 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the earring shown in Figure 1;

Cir

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view of the earring shown in Figure 4 but on a still larger scale and with part of the surface broken away to more clearly show the internal construction; and

Figure 6 is similar to the earring shown in Figure 4 but in the open position.

Figures 7 and 8 show the second embodiment of the improved earrings and in which:

Figure 7 is a fragmentary side elevationalview of one of the improved earrings in closed position with part of the surface broken away to, more clearly show the internal construction; and

Figure 8 is like Figure 7 but in the open position.

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Figures 9 and 10 show the third embodiment of the improved earrings and in which:

Figure 9 is a fragmentary side elevational view of one of the improved earrings in closed position with part of the surface broken away to more clearly show the internal construction; and

Figure 10 is like Figure 9 but in the open position.

Figures 11 and 12 show the fourth embodiment of the improved earrings and in which:

Figure 11 is a fragmentary side elevational view of one of the improved earrings in closed position with part of the surface broken away to more clearly show the internal construction; and

Figure 12 is like Figure 11 but in the open position.

Figures 13, 14, and 15 show a new form of adjustment screw for varying the spacing of the inner stem of the earring or the clamp carried by the inner stem from the ear lobe, and in which;

Figure 13 is a side elevational view of the improved adjustment screw;

Figure 14 is a sectional view along 14-14 of Figure 13, and

Figure 15 is a sectional view along 1515 of Figure 13, but on an enlarged scale.

Referring now in greater detail to the first embodiment of the improved earrings shown in Figures 1 through 6 where like reference numerals indicate like parts, reference numeral 10 indicates the inner stem, and 11 the outer stem.

The inner stem 10 may be a hollow tube, at least as far upwardly (Fig. 5) as the later described screw 12, and with open bottom. Through the walls of the tube are two aligned longitudinal slits 13 and 14 (Fig. 5) extended upwardly from the open bottom and parallel to the plane of the screw. The slit 13 may extend upwardly a greater distance than the slit 14 to give a means for the manipulation of a later described catch 15.

At the top of the inner stem 10 is the known adjust-= ment screw 12 threaded transversely through the top-of' the stem in the plane of the previously mentioned slits. Keyed to the end of the screw most remote from the ear lobe is a wheel 16 which when rotated moves the inner clamp 17, fixed to the opposite end of the screw, toward or away from the inner surface of the ear lobe as desired or a new type of longitudinal adjustment means for the screw may be provided as later shown.

The outer stem 11' may also be a tubular member designed for attachment at the front of the ear lobe by an outer clamp 18 affixed thereto and which coacts with the already mentioned inner clamp 17 in a squeezing movement on opposite surfaces of the ear lobe. Opposite the outer clamp 18 may be any ornamentation 19 fastened in a known manner. The outer stem 11 at the opposite end curves inwardly under the ear lobe and terminates in a flattened surface 20 which coacts with the aligned slits 13 and 14 aforementioned. A pivot pin 21 is transversely disposed through the end of the hollow inner stem after the flattened surface of the outer stem has been inserted in the slits 13 and 14 of the inner stem which permits rotation, of the stems, the axis of the pivot pin being perpendicular to the plane of rotation. Along the upper edge of the flattened surface is an open recess 22 with the adjacent edge of the flattened surface on the inside rounded as shown.

Coacting with the open recess 22 is the catch 15 reciprocable in the hollow inner stem and having an integrally formed finger piece 23 protruding through the slit 13.. Maintaining the catch under downwardly directed tension in the recess 22 is the spiral spring 24.

In operation, when first attaching the earrings to the ear lobes, the screw 12 by trial and error and with the outer stem 11 in the position shown in Figure- 4 is at} tached to the ear lobe in the usual manner. After adjustment of the screw 12, assuming that the earring is attached, by lifting the finger piece 23 upwardly against the tension of the spring 24 the end of the catch 15 in the recess 22 is withdrawn and the outer stem 11 or inner stem can then be pivoted downwardly substantially to the position in Figure 6 which releases the ornamentation from the car without disturbing the setting of the screw 12. On the reattachment of the earrings and with each screw 12 in the same position for the same individual, the inner clamp 17, of course, being in back of the lobe, the outer stem 11 can be rotated toward the ear lobe which in coaction with the already adjusted inner clamp 17 will fasten the ornamentation securely, the catch auton1at ically reentering the recess 22 by virtue of the rounded periphery of the flattened surface 26 until released. It will be noted that with the type of construction described, the basic fastening and unfastening components can be produced'in quantity and any desired ornamentation 19 added at a substantial saving in manufacturing costs compared with known forms of earrings.

In the second embodiment of the improved earring shown in Figures 7 and 8, reference numeral 36 indicates the inner stem and 31 the outer stem.

All parts of the earring shown in Figures 7 and 8 are identical with the previously mentioned first embodiment except for the catch 32 and the coacting form of the fiattened surface 33 of the outer stem 31.

The catch 32 is of inverted U-shape" and has on the side opposite the outer stem 31 a leg or arm 34 of greater length than the opposite leg or arm 35, the periphery of the end of which is shaped as illustrated The flattened surface 33 of the end of the outer stem 31 extended under the ear lobe has an upwardly directed integrally formed central surface portion 36 along the upper edge or periphery of which is the V-shaped recess 37. On the side of the outer stem 31, the periphery of the flattened surface has a second recess 36a at a lower elevation than the recess 37 while on the side opposite the outer stem 31 is a third recess 38 at an even lower elevation than the recess 36a. When the catch 32 which may have a plunger 39 reciprocable in the hollow end of the inner stem against the tension of a spring 39a is in the down position (Fig. 7), that is the closed position of the earring, the short arm of the catch, integrally formed with or otherwise attached to the plunger and reciprocable therewith, is in the recess 36a. The long arm 34 on the opposite side of the catch, that is the side opposite the outer stem, and also integrally formed with or otherwise attached to the plunger, is in the recess 38 of lowest elevation. When the catch 32 is moved upwardly by the finger piece 34a, integrally formed with the long arm 34, the outer stem 31, when the central portion 36 is free from the catch 32, can be pivoted forwardly and downwardly from the ear lobe until the end of the short arm 35 is in the \'-shaped recess 37 with the end of the long arm 34 remaining in the recess 38. By rounding the ends of the arms of the catch as shown, the stems will automatically move to the closed position of the earring without moving the finger piece 341: upwardly.

Referring now to the third embodiment of the improved earring shown in Figures 9 and 10, reference numeral 40 indicates the inner stem, and 41 the outer stem.

All parts of the improved earring of the third embodiment are the same as those described under the first except for the means of releasably locking the inner and outer stems in the closed position which is as follows:

Reciprocable in the tubular end of the inner stem 4% is a catch 42, held in place by a guide 43 fixed in the stern and coacting with a slideway 46 in the catch. A spiral spring 47, in the expanded end of the s id sway 46, maintains the catch under downwardly directed tension. T he catch 42 carries a downwardly directed protuberance at the end coacting with a recess 49 in the upwardly directed edge of the flattened surface of the outer stem 41 pivotally connected in the end of the hollow stem 40.

At the top, the catch 42 bifurcates as illustrated to coact with the inner stern below the adjustment screw (not shown).

Operation with the earring of the third embodiment is substantially the same as that described ante under the first embodiment.

In the fourth embodiment of the improved earrings shown in Figures 11 and 12, reference numeral 50 indicates the inner stem and 51 the outer stem.

The inner stem 50 is similar to the inner stems of the previously described embodiments and the outer stem 51 is similar to the outer stems previously described except for the notched or angular upper edge 52 of the flattened surface of the outer stem 51 pivotally connected in the hollow stem 50 by the pivot pin 53.

Coacting with the angular upper edge 52 of the outer stem is a catch 54 pivotally mounted in the hollow inner stem by any suitable means 55. The downwardly directed end of the catch terminates in an edge coacting with the angular edge of the outer stem and is moved in (Fig. 11) and out (Fig. 12) of engagement with that edge by an integrally formed handle member or finger piece 51. Slits in the hollow inner stem permit rotating the various members in and out of the stem during manipulation and a spring 53 disposed in the tip of the hollow inner stem maintains the catch 54 under downwardly directed tension at all times.

The operation with the earrings of the fourth embodiment is similar to that already described under the first embodiment except for the variation in the direction of motion for releasing the catch.

In all four embodiments, the adjustment screw 12 (Fig. l) actuated by the wheel 16 carrying the spacing of the inner clamp 17 relative to the inner surface of the ear lobe is of a well known type. However, in Figures 13, 14, and 15 another and new type of adjustment screw is shown and can take the place of the adjustment screw 12 in all of the four embodiments.

The adjustment screw 60 is a square bar (Figs. 14 and 15) threaded along the four edges. The screw 60 is inserted through aligned openings in the bifurcated top of the inner stem 61 where it is longitudinally adjustable by a wheel 62 rotatably threaded on the screw between the bifurcated members and 66. At one end, the screw 60 has attached the inner clamp 63 and at the opposite end the member 64. By rotating the wheel 62, the screw 6!) can be made to move longitudinally without rotating the clamp 63. Thus, the clamp 63 moves longitudinally only and prevents any pinching of the ear lobe by the clamp which may readily occur in the case of the known adjustment screws illustrated with the four embodiments.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact disclosure herein described but may lend itself to a variety of expressions within the scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

An earring comprising an inner and an outer stem, the inner stern being formed hollow at the bottom and having two aligned longitudinal slits formed therein, the outer stem terminating at the bottom in a flattened sur face portion pivotally disposed intermediate the aligned slits, the flattened surface portion having three spaced recesses formed in the periphery thereof, one of the recesses being of V-shape and substantially centered in the hollow interior of the inner stem in the closed position of the earring, the second recess being on the side of the outer stem and below the elevation of the V-shapcd recess, the third recess being on the side opposite the outer stem and substantially below the elevation of the second mentioned recess, a catch of inverted U-shape reciprocable in the aligned slits, the arm of the inverted U-shaped catch on the side opposite the outer stem having a length greater than that of the arm on the side of the outer stem and coacting with the third mentioned recess, the arm of the inverted U-shaped catch References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 248,240 Washburn Oct. 11, 1881 6 Wolf Aug. 18, 1885 La Clare July 21, 1908 Knoll July 30, 1912 Bucciarelli Dec. 7, 1926 Kuhlmann Oct. 11, 1938 Farkas Feb. 3, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Nov. 5, 1948 

